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Pocket doors are more expensive than standard pre-hung doors. While a standard interior door installation costs around $150 to $200, installing a pocket door can run from $1,000 to $3,500, especially on existing walls. The higher price is due to extra work like demolition and modifications. While more costly, installing pocket doors offers benefits like saving space and modern aesthetics that are worth the added expense.

To frame or retrofit a pocket door, you'd need to modify an existing wall to fit the door and its hardware. This process involves opening the wall, ensuring the door has space to slide, and adjusting any wiring or plumbing inside. After creating space, a new frame and track are installed so the door functions properly.

You can use some standard doors as pocket doors, but they must fit the required dimensions. The door has to slide smoothly into the wall cavity, so it must be the right size and thickness. Also, any existing hardware holes need to be adjusted or covered up to work correctly, increasing labor costs.

For a pocket door, you need enough wall space for the door to slide into. A standard 32-inch-wide door requires about 66 inches of wall space in total—including the doorway and the pocket. The wall you install it in should be at least four inches deep to fit the door's thickness.

Installing a pocket door usually takes about six to 12 hours. If your project requires extra work like wall modifications or electrical adjustments, it might take a couple of days. The exact time depends on your home's layout, the type of door you’re installing, and the complexity of the project.

Removing a pocket door involves more than just taking down the door. You'll likely need to open up the wall to access the door mechanism, adjust any wiring or plumbing inside, and then rebuild the wall afterward. Costs can range from $1,000 to $3,200, depending on how much work is needed.